Help launch a new cultural program incubated by the Berlin Porn Film Festival. Introducing S*MAC Forum (Sex * Media, Arts, and Culture Forum)!
About S*MAC
S*MAC Forum is our new cultural program, open to all 18+ audiences. Our mission: create a dedicated space for education, connection, dialogue and practice around sex and sexuality.
Through a wide range of formats (workshops, panel discussions, performances, markets and more), S*MAC aims to celebrate the power and influence sex has on how we connect, feel, express, and move in the world.
We are a complementary space to our sibling event Adult Industry Forum: both S*MAC and AIF expand the field of dialogue and connection around the Berlin Porn Film Festival and the important work it does in celebrating the diverse range of sexually explicit cinema in Berlin and beyond. Whereas AIF offers a bespoke, invite-only program for those directly working within adult industries and connected spaces (centering sex workers and creators but including researchers, activists, creators, and policy makers), S*MAC is forum-cum-festival for all of us – from the curious beginner to the dedicated practitioners – with a desire to learn about all the different ways that sexuality shows up in society and everyday life.
About the S*MAC Open Call
This year, we’re welcoming proposals across a wide range of formats: panels, keynotes, workshops, performances, and other evening cultural events. Whether you have a fully developed concept or just a seed of an idea, we encourage you to share it.
You don’t need a finished proposal to get the conversation going – rough abstracts, suggestions, and early-stage ideas are also welcome.
Oftentimes the most qualified people don’t feel they have enough experience, credentials, or finished material to apply. If that’s you, you’re encouraged to apply anyway: if the proposal resonates with our team, we’ll reach out. We welcome diverse perspectives and people who aren’t afraid to challenge assumptions in some of the topic areas below. Multi-disciplinary practitioners, including those already doing sex work or work related to sex and sexuality are strongly encouraged to apply.
Some of the thematic areas we’re interested in: Sex & Sexuality, Kink/BDSM, Relationships & ENM, Dating, Parenting, Erotic Art & Media, Fashion, Porn Production (Mainstream to DIY) & Consumption, Sexual Health, Sex Parties/Events/Nightlife, Sex-positive Culture, Sexual Health, SexTech, Sex Education, Censorship and Criminalization, Public Policy.
One last thing: We’re a new event, working with themes and topics that are taboo and often overlooked by funding sources (especially THESE days). We are hard at work securing bold allies and generous supporters for this first edition of S*MAC. As such, our volunteer-led team cannot offer specific compensation at this time. We will consider production budget and accessibility cost offsets on a case-by-case basis. If funding comes through, we will actively seek to compensate S*MAC presenters, performers, and moderators, beyond the complementary invite to Adult Industry Forum.
Note: If you have already submitted for the open call, no need to submit again. Our curatorial team will reach out if your proposal fits within Adult Industry Forum, S*MAC, or both.
